In response to the Charlottesville tragedy over the weekend, a group of Willits area residents took the initiative of organizing an 11th hour vigil Sunday to express their support in conjunction with vigils all over the country. It was good to see and a shame that more residents did not attend the event which was primarily advertised through social media.

Light the Road to Justice was formed when residents got together to advocate for marriage equality, but according to members their main thrust since has been to plead for more tolerance, inclusion and for the betterment of our society.

By their own admission, civic leaders and staff are undermanned and have been wrapped up in putting the final touches on the medical cannabis ordinance and dealing with some unforseen legal challenges, so it falls to ordinary citizens to pick up the slack by organizing events such as this to rally the community’s spirit.

The marches organized last Friday by a mix of white supremacists, Nazis and other fringe groups in protest of the removal of Confederate statues in Charlottesville and the federal government’s response to the incident have received a lot of press coverage, but perhaps lost in the aftermath of these horrible events which led to one person losing her life and the injury of others is the fact that denouncing hate and fighting for peace has to be a full-time job.

The old adage states that actions speak louder than words and the eight Willits -area residents who organized and attended the event are there every Friday at the exact location at the park adjacent to the old hospital, speaking in support of peace.

Long time Willits resident Monte Vanderhorck said as much, emphasizing that the peace vigil is something that needs to happen routinely, not just during times of stress and after a traumatic event such as the events which unfolded in Virginia this past weekend. I wholeheartedly agree. More than a symbolic showing of support, the organization’s efforts are indicative of a community showing that they care.

Residents from Willits, Brooktrails and Laytonville took the time to paint signs over the weekend in preparation for Sunday’s impromptu vigil ceremony to show support and to advocate for inclusion and diversity. It is very encouraging to see these local efforts by self proclaimed old-time activists and plain regular folks alike.

At a time when our country appears divided, at times crippled by clashing ideologies and partisan in fighting, it was like taking in a breath of fresh air in the community of Willits, as the cool evening temperatures gave way to the Sunday evening night sky.

As one of the participants in Sunday’s vigil succinctly put it when asked why participation was important, she responded following Saturday’s events, “….after yesterday, how could you not come?”

Precisely.

Ariel Carmona Jr is the city editor for The Willits News. He can be reached by email at acarmona@willitsnews.com or by phone at (707) 841-2123.

Ariel Carmona Jr. has served as The Willits News as City Editor/reporter since Fall 2016. Carmona grew up in the Southern California region in Los Angeles where he cultivated an appreciation for good food, family and community oriented journalism. Prior to joining The Willits News, Ariel was a columnist at the Valley Daily Post, a hybrid newspaper website in Espanola, in Rio Arriba County and covered education in the Northern New Mexico region for the Rio Grande Sun. He also worked as a reporter for the hyperlocal Community Impact chain of newspapers based out of Pflugerville, Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and an M.A. in Communications from California State University Fullerton. Ariel has written for various print and online publications including the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in West Covina ,California, AOL Patch media, the Orange County Register and the Walnut Weekly News in Walnut, CA where he served as sports editor and as a general assignment reporter. In late fall 2018, Ariel began covering Mendocino County for the Ukiah Daily Journal.

Ariel Carmona Jr. has served as The Willits News as City Editor/reporter since Fall 2016. Carmona grew up in the Southern California region in Los Angeles where he cultivated an appreciation for good food, family and community oriented journalism. Prior to joining The Willits News, Ariel was a columnist at the Valley Daily Post, a hybrid newspaper website in Espanola, in Rio Arriba County and covered education in the Northern New Mexico region for the Rio Grande Sun. He also worked as a reporter for the hyperlocal Community Impact chain of newspapers based out of Pflugerville, Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and an M.A. in Communications from California State University Fullerton. Ariel has written for various print and online publications including the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in West Covina ,California, AOL Patch media, the Orange County Register and the Walnut Weekly News in Walnut, CA where he served as sports editor and as a general assignment reporter. In late fall 2018, Ariel began covering Mendocino County for the Ukiah Daily Journal.